Do you collect certain O gauge items or buy certain things?

[cnw1995]

I'm finding myself keeping an eye out for trolleys and other electric traction-related items for 3 rail? (....must ....resist ... bowser trolley ...for sale.) I've heard of forumites that buy things for certain roadnames or all the Atlas reefers. What do you like to buy?

[darianj]

I started off just buying things that "caught my eye"(like the MTH Triplex in my signature[:p]). Now I'm buying more things that I would've seen growing up as a kid in NYC and the trains my father operated in the subway for the MTA.

[Jumijo]

I have a growing list of things I want, but am trying hard to resist. Although I don't collect anything train related per se, I do buy things that might seem collectible. I bought a pair of the prewar no. 68 "Watch Out For Locomotive" signs. I thought they were cool. They look ridiculous on our layout, but that's where they are for now.

I buy most of the Thomas stuff Lionel makes for the kids. All the locos and some of the rolling stock. I must admit, I enjoy them too.

I've purchased a small amount of postwar items as well. 2 locomotives and some rolling stock. I'm fascinated with that era's trains. Perhaps because it represents Lionel's halcyon, perhaps just because they are antiques. I don't buy collector grade items, though. Cheap runner stuff.

Jim

[Big_Boy_4005]

I only buy modern, scale pieces. No steam or anything prior to 1960. That eliminates most of the high priced pieces, and narrows down the catalogs. Done with all of the whimsical stuff too.

[Dr. John]

It kind of fluctuates with me.

For a while, I was collecting K-Line S-2 switchers (got the idea from an article Allan Miller wrote for CTT a few years back) but haven't bought any more lately.

Then I was focusing on Illinois Central / GM&O / ICG equipment. Still do, but not as much.

I amassed a pretty good collection of 1024 and 1121 O-27 switches (that remain unused). Then I went after the K-Line low profile swithces (still do!)

And I'm a sucker for a pretty 6464 boxcar in a nice paint scheme!

Oh, and lest I forget - small steamers! MTH docksiders, Lionel 0-4-0s and the newer Lionel Docksider. Have several of each of these.

Hmmmm. Don't have nearly enough RMT Beeps - could be the next obsession, I mean, collection.

[Jumijo]

Dr. John,

I really enjoyed Allan's article on the K-Line S2's. He made me want to go and buy one or two (I haven't yet). Those are great looking engines. Would love a black Santa Fe.

I have one Beep, and purchased it because everyone was raving about them. Frankly, I don't see what all the fuss was about. Man, it's slow. Cute, but slow. No horn or bell either. What was I thinking?!

Jim

[Dr. John]

Jim,
It seems people either love or hate the Beeps. Not much in between.

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dr. John

Jim,
It seems people either love or hate the Beeps. Not much in between.

I bought it as an inexpensive locomotive that the kids could operate. I didn't realize it would be so pokey. And the lack of sound isn't a big selling point with the kids either. It's nice. Don't get me wrong. I think they are well built and for the money, the best buy going. I just don't see what all the hype was about. On a scale of one to ten, I'd rate it about a 6 or 7.

Jim

[dougdagrump]

Jim, I got one from electric rr with Tmcc and sound. They aren't fast or fancy but you should see the smiles it gets when it passes by some visitors and goes BeepBeep. [:o)]
As for my other stuff, I have both steam and diesel primarily scale and primarily B&O/C&O and there various lines up to and including CSX. Any of the others are because I like the colors and or their history.
One of the lines on my want list, but not in my current budget, would be an Atlas Seaboard SDP-35 with a set of MTH 70" cars.

[Anonymous]

I wish I could keep things narrowed down to a certain era or even one road name. PW 2035, MPC B&O Budd RDC's, MTH scale GG1, Williams NYC madison car set, Lionel Pennsy heavyweights, Lionel SP GS4 to mention a few. The variety and downright attractiveness makes my purchases a bit impulsive. That's OK though as it's been a fun learning experience. If there is any control in all this it's having stuck with everything pre '60's which is where my interests lie. Let's not even talk about the train stuff that isn't "O" gauge! Seems I can't sell anything...not that I'd want to.

Bruce Webster

[Roger Bielen]

I try to limit myself to Lionel CB&Q (Burlington)freight cars. Originally I was trying for all Lionel and K-Line CB&Q (Burlington) but quickly realized that that goal was too expensive to be achievable and lowered my sights.

[More to restore]

Preferably pre-war cars in poor to bad condition.
My "new" 812 gondola has just arrived with one corroded side and a badly repainted inside. I have bid on 812 gondola's for a year now (always low priced wrecks), and finally I won one. Now I can finally make it beautiful again.

[cbq9911a]

I buy all the Lionel ore cars - got a string of 27. Makes an impressive train but it's almost too much for the grades and curves.

[Anonymous]

I am just starting in this size trains and 3 rail , so , I "intend" to try and stay in the early diesel period and the railroads in this area , that I grew up watching and rideing on .
So the C&EI BL-2 works , the FM H16-44 on the way to me , [ my first diesel ride on ] , will be another . Of course this means that the following Railroads are on the list for me .......C&EI , Southern , NYC , IC , L&N , B&O , what a list to work with .

[pbjwilson]

One thing I keep my eye out for is old lead figures. I have an antique mall close by and one or more vendors there usually has some old lead figures, either British or French made.

Another favorite are Marx double lamp posts with the Main St sign on them. I even have one hooked up next to my transformer for when I operate with the room lites off.

Also like Lionel handcars. Mickey and Mini, Goofy and Pluto, etc.

[tschmidt]

I tend to lean towards Lionel stuff in the Atlantic Coast Line or stuff with Bethlehem Steel on it.

TomS

[mitchelr]

I tend to look for Western Maryland Railway items. I also love the Pre-War Flying Yankee, Hiawatha and 1700 Lionel Jr passenger cars (although I don't own any of them yet. [;)]).

I also have a small collection of painted lead/metal figures.

Mitch[8D]

[msacco]

Postwar primarily. And they must be in excellent to like new condition. We're not talking shelf queens either here, I run this stuff. I like 'em to look and run in great condition. I do have some postwar runners though.
I do buy some new but it doesn't feel the same. Lionel docksider, Beep (not good stalls over swithes.. I could go on), Aerotrain, Railking and K-line GG1s, and some new rolling stock.

Mike S.

Mike Sacco

[tcripe]

I'm always tempted by modern era Rio Grande items. Tough to find the right locos, tho because my layout isn't suited for the SD engines and no one seems to make a GP-40. I'd like a GP-30, but so far they are way out of my price range. I wi***hey had made one without all of the bells and whistles. I really like the variety of hoppers.
- Terry

[artyoung]

Operating cars and operating accessories have always been my main focus since I was a kid in the '50's. Love that "action" on the layout. Other than that, the only other "thing" is locomotives with northeastern roadnames - the single exception was the MTH Railking UP Challenger, just too pretty to pass up.

[choochin3]

I like Lionel boxcars,mostly MPC 9200,9400,and 9700 series cars.
I have about 30 of 'em, and many, many more to go!

Carl T.

[Icemanmike]

I love "pushing tin"!! I resored a marx vanderbilt & weathered an marx 999. I also have an mth Doodlebug (b&o), a few Lionel "scouts", an cnw switcher just to name a few but I love it when old timers stop dead in there tracks and say.."I used to have one of those as a kid". If that dont bring a smile to your face nothing will!

[zeames1]

I've done a lot of binge buying past and present. I lean hard to Lionel and NYC road name. I have repesenative pieces from all the other major manufacturers. Last year I bought a few of the K-Lne ore car 4 packs on Ebay, Polar Express add on cars, NYC and Christmas Docksiders each w/caboose, NYC Crane Boom car, CP Grain Train, NS Black Diamond set to name a few items. I've collected Lionel ice cars and the enclosed 2 tier auto racks but stopped a few years back. I have a loaner NYC GP-30 at home and would like to buy one for myself when I can collect the coin. If it's NYC I'll consider buying it. Or, if the color scheme is neat ,like the CP Grain Train, I'll give it a second look.

[Buckeye Riveter]

The layout was started to entertain children at Christmas, so if it is loud, noisy, obnoxious and gaudy it fits right in.

[dougdagrump]

Buckeye, Doesn't that describe 3rail trains in general.
Ain't that why we enjoy them so much. [^]

[traindaddy1]

I'm into O-27. Very large "want list", extremely small "budget". I mainly buy New Haven and New York Central items for my layout. (I am mainly a 'play-with' not a true 'collector') Thanks for asking.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to get new(er) close to scale items that are appropriate to the early 20th century(pre WWII). I am on a limited budget and pretty easily get distracted from this goal. It has gotten much easier to concentate on this period in the last couple years.

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by traindaddy1

I'm into O-27. Very large "want list", extremely small "budget". . . . (I am mainly a 'play-with' not a true 'collector') Thanks for asking.

[#ditto] [:)]

Jim

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

The Doctor Is In !!! I have been leaning toward SP Locos & cabooses, then rolling stock that traveled the SP lines from the late steam era to the late 70's. When I got back into trains, I bought what was in my budget. Now I am a tad more select in what I am buying. I have one non SP switcher (EMD demo) that I am keeping, But the others are being sold. I have K-line Alcos, a Lionel U-33 in the daylight paint, a Lionel GP-40 in bloody nose/gray paint, And the GS-4 bantam in daylight paint from MTH. I am going to repaint an old Lionel NW-2 when I find a better shell. I also have the K-line S-2 switcher,need to put springs on the trucks so they stop jumping (lead one) I buy what I like, I am still looking for some F-3's (black widow or bloody nose) But due to the high prices that even the bad looking runners are getting, I may buy non Lionel just to have the F-units. I am willing to repaint, but as I said the price has to go down on the post war units. I am thinking of MPC units instead. As I said, I am selling off the non SP locos & cabooses , Contact me via email if interested.
Till My Next Missive I Remain The Humble Yet Strangly Evil Doctor !!![}:)]

[Jumijo]

I've had a bit of a SF deisel passenger Jones of late. We have Lionel's Santa Fe El Capitan set. Now I'm giving serious thought to saving up for a Williams' SF F3 warbonnet set with matching aluminum cars.

And me, a steam guy!

Jim